Christmas tree lights target UK environmentalists

As each year passes we begin to be even more concerned about how much energy we use, which in turn has an adverse effect on the environment. Some of us bury our heads in the sand because they do not wish to be preached to, while others take a stand and make sacrifices, just like some people have in London, as there are Christmas tree lights in the UK at the Southbank Centre being lit by pedal power. As you can see in the video below this isn’t the first time that such an idea had been thought up.

Visitors to the Southbank Centre or even people walking past have been getting in on the fun to use the Electric Pedals that you see below to keep the lights lit on the two Christmas trees. You can clearly see that you can not only get on a bike to generate the electric needed, but also pedals that can be turned using your hands for those who are wheel-chair bound or have prosthetic legs. More images can be seen on the Electric Pedals Facebook page.

This idea is sure to excite UK environmentalists, but it’s certainly a huge challenge to keep those Christmas tree lights on, as ten pedals are needed, just wish that Rutland Cycling Ltd donated some better looking bikes. The idea was thought up by Electric Pedals and Vivid Design Works, and it’s so great to see that it has been getting the attention that it so well deserves – just wonder how many of those pedals it would take to power the Christmas decorations in the city of London?

While the idea of these lights being powered by human pedal power is great, there will no doubt be people who will wonder how much energy it takes to keep those lights lit up. Okay, it’s good to highlight that more needs to be done in order to conserve energy, but just imagine how much extra energy these people will be using to keep those lights on, as well as how much more effort it took to create this idea in the first place. This will mean that they will need to eat more, and we all know how producing and supplying food is a big contributor to our carbon footprint.

Do you think this will have a positive or negative impact? We already highlighted a downside, but surely this is still a good idea and helps to keep a few people fit during a time when we know that we let ourselves go a little?